2014 LEXUS IS

The new design, starting with the distinctive Lexus “spindle grille,” was directly influenced by the LFA supercar, giving the 2014 IS a more sporty and aggressive — yet refined — appearance that carries over into the new cockpit-style interior. Passengers will immediately appreciate the use of upgraded materials, more comfortable seats, and the added room that comes from stretching the sedan’s wheelbase by nearly three inches.

For the driver, the new IS features gauges and controls that are easier to read and reach, but the real thrill starts the moment the car is fired up. The 2014 model offers two different engine choices: a fuel-efficient, 204-horsepower V-6; or the more sporty 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. In rear-drive configuration, they’re paired to a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic. For more temperate climes, buyers have the option of a 6-speed automatic coupled with traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive.

The new sport-tuned suspension found on both V-6 models is still able to make even the worst road bumps all but vanish, but the IS 350’s new Adaptive Variable Suspension takes things a step further by delivering the sort of on-rails feeling through tight corners you’d expect from a true sports sedan.

We’ve always appreciated the Lexus IS, but the new 2014 update is everything we’ve come to expect — and a lot more.

LINCOLN MKZ

From top to bottom and stem to stern, the new Lincoln MKZ is a visual standout that rises out of an otherwise crowded midsize luxury market. Be sure to check out the sedan’s striking interior. With its elegant, high-gloss finish, the center stack wraps around a large touchscreen that operates key vehicle functions — although Ford engineers and designers struck a careful balance to ensure the buttons and switches a driver frequently accesses are on the display’s surround so you don’t have to wade through distracting menus to, for example, adjust the interior temperature.

The new Lincoln MKZ comes with a choice of two desirable engine options. There’s the high-mileage, 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost inline-four, as well as a hybrid-electric alternative that will deliver 45 mpg. That’s the sort of number you once could only expect from a little econobox, not from a stylish and roomy midsize luxury sedan. Better yet, Lincoln offers the hybrid package for the same price as the still quite efficient EcoBoost I-4.

The MKZ is the first in a wave of new products billed as the reinvention of the Lincoln brand. If this is where it all begins, we expect buyers will be keeping a close eye on the Lincoln lineup in the years to come.

MASERATI GHIBLI

Maserati Ghibli touches all the senses. It blends Italian style, exclusivity, and perfect proportions with a luxurious interior that pushes the boundaries of comfort and spaciousness.

The soft leather upholstery, exquisite stitching, and smooth lines of the dashboard create an ambience of unique luxury. The large 8.4-inch Maserati touch control display provides user-friendly control of most of the on-board devices, while the car’s driver-oriented settings are controlled by a cluster of push buttons on the central tunnel, beside the gear lever.

The Maserati Ghibli, starting at $65,600 and Maserati Ghibli S Q4, starting at $75,700, are driven by innovative 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engines with a sporty soul and unmistakable sound. The rear-wheel-drive Maserati Ghibli pumps out 345 HP, while the all-wheel-drive Maserati Ghibli S Q4 pumps out 404 HP.

The best news is that now you can experience this for yourself! Come in to Maserati of Troy, located in the Troy Motor Mall, and test drive a Maserati Ghibli or Ghibli S Q4. And just for taking a test drive, you’ll receive a free gift!

VOLVO S60

For those who haven’t kept a close eye on the Volvo line lately, you could be in for a pleasant surprise. Gone are the solid but staid and boxy designs of decades past. The new S60 is a handsomely sculpted sedan in keeping with the modern definition of Scandinavian design. The interior is tastefully and elegantly executed, with comfortable leather seats and real metal accents. And, as you might suspect, Volvo engineers have put a premium on the ergonomic layout of the S60’s gauges, buttons, and navigation screen.

The powertrain is offered in three flavors: the T5’s inline-five-cylinder, making a more-than-adequate 250 horsepower; the peppy T6, making 300 hp; and, for serious enthusiasts, the 325 hp T6 R Design. Both versions of the T6 offer lower, performance suspensions. Even the “base” car has a comfortable — yet sporty — feel on the road.

And, as we suggested, the S6 doesn’t let you down when it comes to safety. Among its many features, the City Safety system helps spot obstacles and can even apply the brakes if the driver is distracted. That’s one reason the IIHS named the S60 a Top Safety Pick +, something that might also earn you a nice discount on your insurance premiums.

Audi A8

It’s so seductive and stylish, the word “sedan” seems a bit small. Instead, the Audi A8 L TDI® clean diesel sedan should be described in somewhat bolder terms: Spectacular, perhaps? Stately? Stunning?

The A8 L, of course, is still the executive’s choice, the pinnacle of the automaker’s craft, a statement of cultivated tastes and well-defined performance — as well as a vehicle that provides better mileage than hybrids in the same segment.